EU in Jamaica supports professional development for aspiring filmmakers with capacity- building workshop

The workshop was a side event to the upcoming 2024 EU Film Festival set for July 23 -28, which promotes culture as a bridge builder and an important tool for connecting people from diverse backgrounds.

Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO) indicates that the Film, Animation and Music (FAM) sector is the third largest contributor to Jamaica's GDP. The EU-hosted workshop aimed to build participants' capacity to execute productions and access opportunities within the growing film industry. The workshop, which was free to participants, focused on two key areas: visual storytelling and cinematography, and sound mixing and design.

It was held in collaboration with Jamaica Film and Television Association (JAFTA) and the Bachelor of Arts, Communication Arts and Technology (BACAT) Programme at the University of Technology (UTech), at UTech's Papine Campus in Kingston.

EUDel Jamaica

On day one, Jamaican director and cinematographer, Gabrielle Blackwood,shared insights on the art of visual storytelling with a focus on shot composition and styles, lighting, camera movement, framing and frame rates, and production design. She topped off the session with hands-on practice on camera lenses, settings, exposure and lighting.

On day two, sound editor and designer, Charles de Ville, who hails from Belgium, focused on the various microphones for audio recording and their uses. He also looked at the software and approaches used to create sound.

Using an excerpt from 'Sauvages,' an animated film he recently worked on, which was screened at the Cannes Film Festival, de Ville demonstrated the techniques he used to record ambient sounds on-site, and process recordings to isolate the different layers.

EUDel Jamaica

EU Ambassador, Marianne Van Steen, in her remarks to participants, acknowledged the growth potential of the film and animation sector and encouraged participants to take advantage of the insights provided by the experts to hone their craft to meet the highest standards.

EUDel Jamaica

"While acknowledging the value of the sector for the preservation of cultural identity and self- expression, I am encouraging participants to embrace filmmaking as a business opportunity for job and wealth creation," she stated.

EUDel Jamaica

Creative economy consultant, Renee Robinson also emphasized the untapped potential of the filmmaking industry as an opportunity to have a global impact because the world is asking for Jamaican content.

"Take advantage of the opportunities the workshop provides to learn the technical craft and start thinking of ways to make impactful local content to be shared globally," she told them.

Some participants stated that the workshop helped to concretize existing knowledge and provide new perspectives on the things they are learning in their various study programmes or doing on the job.

Brandon Scott, a student at the University of Technology said the insights from Jamaican director and cinematographer, Gabrielle Blackwood,on the use of light, particularly within the context of filmmaking on a budget were among the key takeaway points for him

"My favourite takeaway was when she started speaking about the diffusion of light and how you can actually separate your subject and the different options you have by using diffusers and how you position your key light, your fill light etc.," he stated.

EUDel Jamaica

Twa-Anna Johnson, a student at HEART /National Training Agency was excited to learn about the different types of microphones, as explained by sound editor and designer, Charles de Ville, and their varying uses for optimal recording,

"The thing I am looking forward to the most is sound mixing and sound editing. I am very interested in how you can make different sounds when you are doing animations. I am looking forward to putting into practice the things I learned about here," she stated.

Andre Bidwell, a professional sound mixer was pleased with the focus given to sound recording and editing, as he believes that when compared to cinematography, audio/sound does not always get the recognition it deserves.

"Although I work in the field and already know some of the things the workshop covered, it was really eye opening to see Charles' work and what goes into making a finished big animated production. The two- day workshop was very good. Well done to the EU and JAFTA!" he stated.

Saeed Thomas President of JAFTA said his organization is proud to have collaborated with the EU for the workshop.

"We are excited to welcome a new cohort of young filmmakers. This opportunity will enable them to learn how to execute productions and films and access opportunities, including the recently launched Jamaica Screen Development Initiative (JSDI) to support Jamaica's Audio Visual Industry."

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